Leading the Way 2023 Annual Report
Dean & Professor
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications has been accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications since 1954 and is the only accredited journalism and mass communications program in Nebraska.
Up for reaccreditation in 2023, the site team’s recent report praised our “do from day one” mantra, strong administrative team, research momentum, curricular innovation, facilities and collegial, collaborative “can-do” faculty. The report also indicated areas for improvement, including the need for a more consistent advising experience, systematic assessment plan, dedicated affinity groups for underrepresented students and a sustainability plan for the Experience Lab. The accreditation team’s recommendation: full reaccreditation.
While we still have work to do, as I look back over this last year—over these last four years—I am blown away by how far we have come and how much we have accomplished. The cover of this report says it all. I am so insanely proud of this college.
New Faculty and Staff
Alisa Smith
Director of Advising
Alisa Smith holds a B.S. from Bowling Green State and an M. Ed. from Lourdes University. Before joining UNL, Smith gained over 20 years of experience in academic advising and student success at Lourdes University.
Kristian Anderson
Assistant Professor of Practice, Broadcasting
Kristian Anderson graduated in advertising and broadcasting from UNL in 1992. He teaches, runs Right Eye Digital and has rich media experience, including radio, TV and livestreaming.
Ahman Green
Lecturer, Sports Media & Communication
Ahman Green is a former NFL All-Pro running back and current esports coach, analyst and philanthropist. He contributes to esports TV, hosts radio shows and co-hosts TV programs.
Michael Park
Assistant Professor, Journalism
Michael Park has a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and a J.D. from the University of California San Francisco. His research focuses on how political developments spark disruptions that test the First Amendment in American society.
Ryan Tan
Assistant Professor, Sports Media & Communication
Ryan Tan holds a B.A. and M.A. in Communication from Nanyang Technological University and a Ph.D. from Penn State. His research focuses on video game components’ cognitive and emotional effects on players.
Visiting Professors and lectures
Urich visits campus as the Worick Visiting Professor
Jennifer Urich, CEO and co-founder of Sparrow Strategy, was this year’s Worick Visiting Professor in Market Research at the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Urich was on campus from Feb. 27 to March 11.
Seline Lecture hosts WaPo’s Jenna Johnson
Jenna Johnson, deputy democracy editor for the Washington Post, gave the 2023 Seline Lecture April 11. Her talk, “Deepening polarization, rampant misinformation and the erosion of democracy in the United States,” was on UNL’s City Campus.
NYT Exec Brayton Visits UNL as Hearst Professional
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications will welcome Diane Brayton as the Hearst Visiting Professional on April 4, 2023.
By the Numbers
Thank You For Your Support
The College of Journalism and Mass Communications is grateful for all our donors past and present, including those who have given as part of the University of Nebraska Foundation's Campaign Only in Nebraska between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
- Dakarai Aarons
- Cynthia Abeel
- Agent
- Charla & Arthur Albritton
- Richard & Rashelle Alloway
- Harold & Marian Andersen
- Harry & Linda Argue
- Clifford & Theodora Argue
- Christopher Arnold & Paula Lavigne
- Dr. & Mrs. David Arnold
- Charles & Susan Arnot
- Rich Bailey
- Bailey Lauerman
- Gerald Baldasty
- Joseph & Nancy Baldwin
- Karen & William Baldwin
- Pink Bandana
- Tom & Kathy Bass
- Paula Bauer
- Kathleen & Jerry Baugh
- Jo Baxter
- Randal Beam
- Joanne Beck
- Allen & Linda Beermann
- David Beliles
- John & Valerie Bender
- Benevity
- Jeffrey Benne & Fran ten Bensel-Benne
- William Bennett & Joanne Suechika
- Charlyne & Dennis Berens
- Eugene & Mary Blake
- Steven Blum
- Jesse Boeckermann
- Kelli Boling
- Roger Boye
- Andrew Boyle
- Gregory Branch
- Stephen & Lorna Brennan
- Kennard & Joyce Britton
- Thomas Broad
- Timothy & Margaret Brown
- Eric & Ruth Brown
- Kelly Buchnat
- Elisabeth Buchwald
- Diane Bucko
- Bradley Bunde
- Hilary Butler
- Sally & Jack Campbell
- Rebecca Card
- Justin & Elizabeth Ring Carlson
- Dr. & Mrs. James M. Carraher
- Connie Casari Reddicliffe & Steven Reddicliffe
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- Steve & Mary Jo Chatelain
- Christi & Doc Chaves
- Andrew Chaves
- Foster Collins
- Community Foundation Of Greater Des Moines
- Karna & Kenneth Converse
- Paula Cope
- Robert & Patricia Crisler
- David Crowley
- Rusty & Gail Cunningham
- Cybergrants
- Michele Davis
- Thomas Denton
- Patrick di Natale
- Brian & Brenda Doernemann
- Scott Durkin
- Eagle Printing & Sign
- Marc & Cheryl Eisele
- Eisele Family Foundation
- Scott & Tracy Elmshaeuser
- Kent Endacott & Dorothy Pritchard Endacott
- Dennis & Connie Ernest
- Randolph Essex & Angelyn Frankenberg
- Mary Fastenau & John Flanagan
- Amy & Aron Ferguson
- Victoria & Joseph Ferris
- Firespring
- Kenneth Fischer
- Brian & Robin Fitzgerald
- David Fowler
- Tom & Patricia Frazer
- Glenn & Janice Friendt
- Andrea Gaghagen
- Gannett Foundation
- Arnold & Lynne Garson
- Glen Gartner & Tracy Overstreet
- Roxana Gee
- Joel & Taylor Gehringer
- Mark Getzfred & Elizabeth Austin
- Gilbert & Martha Hitchcock Foundation
- Lenny Gish & Sheri Irwin-Gish
- Benjamin Goodkind & Nancy Payne
- Randall & Barbara Gordon
- Mark Gordon
- Lynne Grasz Hall
- Jemalyn & Andrew Griffin
- Allison & Andrew Guiney
- Robin Hadfield
- David & Ruth Davidson Hahn
- Sally & Rick Hale
- Donald Hall
- Haley & Nathan Hamel
- Kristen Hansen
- Ramon & Donna Hansen
- Paula Harre & Daniel Duncan
- Bridget & Westen Harris
- Joseph Harris
- Joshua Harrison
- Wallis & Patrick Harsch
- Amanda Mills Hartman
- Sarah Haskell
- Theodore Hastreiter
- Randal Hawthorne
- Constance Healey
- E. Charles Healey
- Catherine Cleveland Heckmann
- Stephen Hill & Susan Wilson
- Kimberly & Pat Hillyer
- Douglas & Elizabeth Hindman
- Ernest & Mary Hines
- Margaret Holman
- Home Instead Senior Care
- Gary & Avril Hook
- Jeffrey & Sharon Houchin
- Nancy Hungerford
- Nicholas & Erin Hytrek
- Richard & Darlene James
- Paul & Stephanie Jarrett
- Marilyn Jensen
- John S. & James L. Knight Foundation
- Philip & Carla Johnson
- Kile & Virginia Johnson
- Amy & Scott Johnson
- Brandon Jones
- William Kelly & Kay McClure-Kelly
- Gary & Colleen Kemper
- Dane Kiambi
- KidGlov
- Karen & Brian Kiekow
- Kinder Porter Scott Family Foundation
- Angie Klein
- Michael & Karey Koehn
- Deborah Kollars
- Jessica Kolterman
- Carroll & Sara Kraus
- Janice Kreuscher
- Matthew & Lisa Krumwiede
- Marshall & Barbara Kushner
- Philip & Julie Labadie
- Gary & Phyllis Larsen
- Kimberly & James Larsen
- Las Vegas Nebraskans
- Michael & Tracey Lewis
- Martha Liggett
- Lincoln Community Foundation Inc.
- Stanley & Sue Anne Linhorst
- Laird & Nancy Loomis
- Marc & Mary Jo Lovci
- Sarah Lundak
- MaryLou Luther Imparato
- Larry Lutz
- Charles MacKenna
- Thomas & Heidi Macy
- Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Magsamen
- Thomas Malkoski & Kristine Saalfeld Malkoski
- Mary Marron
- Jill & Thomas Martin
- Margaret Mathieu
- Mark & Christine Matousek
- Edward & Carolyn May
- Bernard & Joanne McCoy
- Daniel McGuire
- David & Connie Merchant
- Edward & Adrienne Mickells
- Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
- Roger & Nancy Mitchell
- Melinda Morgan
- Ryan & Nicole Mueksch
- Preston & Brittany Munsch
- Todd Munson
- Daniel Murphy
- Carrie Myers
- Brian & Renee Neary
- Nelnet Matching Gift Program
- Michael & Christie Cater Nelson
- Daniel & Michele Nelson
- Craig Nelson
- John Norall
- Joanna & Josh Nordhues
- Larry & Janice Novicki
- David & Leslie Nuckolls
- Janell Nyffeler
- Neal Obermeyer
- Dr. & Mrs. Timothy O’Holleran
- Jane & Ronald Olson
- Mr. & Mrs. William Olson
- Monte Olson & Jackie Ostrowicki
- Deborah Oman
- Kathryn Onnen
- Osborne Family Enterprises, LLC
- David & Tammie Ostdiek
- Tonn & Holly Ostergard
- Kay & Roger Ottenbach
- William and Patricia Greene Paxton
- Peak Performance Consultants
- Marc Pearce
- Robert Pearson & Cynthia Hunter
- Ann Pedersen
- Spencer Peery
- Philip Perry & Family
- Perry Charitable LLC
- Perry Family Real Estate
- James & Sally Petersen
- Brian Petrotta
- Janet Pieper
- Glenda Pierce & Jeff Kirkpatrick
- Amber & Andrew Pitts
- Mary Pitzl
- Pixel Bakery Design Studio
- Andrew & Kris Pollock
- Monica Pribil
- Mary Kay Quinlan
- Sierra Ramsay
- Charles & Susan Ranta
- Robert Ray
- Jeffrey Reinhardt
- Heather Rempe
- Revolution Wraps
- Mark & Betty Rhoades
- Kaci & Daniel Richter
- Gabriel Riethoven
- Tyler & Emily Rippeteau
- Jeff Robb
- Robert H. Storz Foundation
- Scott Robins
- Barton & Shirley Rochman
- Janet Rodekohr
- Timothy Roesler
- Ronald McDonald House
- John & Cindee Rood
- Claire Rosenzweig
- Lilla Ross
- Peggy Rupprecht
- Barbara Ruser
- Riley Sandall & Alexandria Cerveny-Sandall
- Deanna Sands
- Shaun Sartin
- Bert & Sharon Sass
- Jay & Fran Wittich Saunders
- Mario Scalora
- Michael & Jennifer Schultz
- Julie & Peter Scott
- Rex & Rebecca Seline
- Deborah Shanahan & Kent Sievers
- Gary Shapiro
- Jeffrey & Emily Sheldon
- Kim Shepherd
- Kristine Brenneis & Robby Shortridge
- Barbara Shuck
- Judith & Samuel Shutts
- Mona & Gregory Smith
- Jennifer Snyder
- Jacob & Elizabeth Sorensen
- Gary & Melissa Steiner
- Terry Stentz & Christie Hobensack
- Nancy Stohs
- Judith Stoia
- James Alexander Strautman
- Elizabeth Jane Stricklin
- Kelly & Kevin Sundbye
- Swanson Russell Assoc.
- Carolyn Sweeney
- Mark Sweet
- Lee Talley
- John & Pamela Thiel
- Kathryn Titus
- Philip Walker & Cheryl Tritt
- Dara Troutman
- Gregory Tunink
- Pamela & Mark Ungashick
- Union Bank & Trust
- Kaitlin Van Loon
- Julie Varga
- Shari & Nicholas Veil
- Verizon Foundation
- Dr. & Mrs. Douglas Vickstrom
- Edward Vierk & Frauke Hachtmann
- Todd & Joan von Kampen
- James & Amy Vranicar
- Joyce Ware & Anthony Palermo
- Christine Weeks
- Jamie & Patricia Wenz
- Susan White
- Marcia White
- John Wickstrom, Jr. & Elizabeth Wickstrom
- Nikki & Kelly Wilken
- Donald Willoughby
- Mary Winquest
- Dr. & Mrs. Michael Wirth
- Robert & Erin Wirth
- Robert & Maybeth Wirz
- Wirz & Associates, Inc.
- Mr. and Mrs. Philip Witt
- Leslee & GT Wong
- Brent Worms
- Ronald & Joan Wozny
- Scott & Heather Wright
- Walter Wyckoff
- Judith Yeck
- Jeff Zeleny
- Diane Zeleny